On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 02:21:56 GMT, Bert wrote:

The panel is a Bryant/Westinghouse Cat. No. 12-24 FN, SN Type 1
Enclosure, Max Mains Rating 125A. The diagram on the label indicates
that all slots can use duplex breakers, though oddly the diagram
doesn't exactly match the panel -- it shows 12 slots but there are
actually 16.

If that's the style I think it is, they don't want you using the two
breaker positions directly opposite the Main Breaker, and they'll have
a "Do Not Remove This Knockout" sticker on those two breaker KOs.
They are already pumping 100 Amps through those stabs which is about
all they can handle, they don't want a load breaker there to keep from
melting the stabs. Partly exposed, they'll get some cooling from air
circulation inside the can.

There is no indication of quad breakers on the diagram.
The list of breaker types allowed is BR, BRH, BD, BQ, BJ, BJH, GFCB,
GFCBH, BRWH, BRSN. (Is BQ a quad breaker?) The bus panel and bus bars
are aluminum; wiring is copper.

The current configuration is
2 slots occupied by main breaker (Bryant type BR2100)
2 slots occupied by range breaker (Bryant type BR250)
2 slots occupied by dryer breaker (Bryant type BR230)
4 slots occupied by duplex 20A breakers (Bryant type BRD BD20-20)
5 slots occupied by duplex 15A breakers (Bryant type BRD BD15-15)
1 slot open.

I would pull the dryer breaker (save it for when you move) and use a
Bryant BRD BQ-250-230 quad breaker. (Eaton Cutler-Hammer makes them
now, find a local C-H supplier.) Put a small dab of Noalox on the bus
before you plug it in as insurance, in case the tin plating is damaged
it will seal out the corrosion and prevent arcing - you hope...

That gives you a 50A 220V pair on the inside for the welder, and a
30A 220V with the big hoop handle-tie for the water heater. Install
your welder receptacle "temporarily" on the wall (so you can remove it
quickly with a few screws and spackle the holes) and you're done.

And that's going to make that panel just about full load-wise -
don't try running everything at once, or you'll be tripping the Main
Breaker and dealing with an annoyed SWMBO who doesn't like the
unscheduled blackouts.

-- Bruce --
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
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